Avatars on this forum

[Elenny]

Suggestion for Steve:

I love this forum, but I think it would be that much greater if we (users) were allowed to have avatars with our profiles.

I think adding avatars would make the forum more colorful and in some cases inspiring, and it would add one more layer of personality to each poster.

Maybe I'm wrong, but with the amount of traffic this site gets, I don't think allotting a small picture to each user would have much of an effect on resources.

Is anybody with me on this?

[Shamou]

I also love avatars... it is so much easier to spot people that we know when strolling down a thread... and, as you say, it gives a unique individuality to the posters...

However, I have the sneaky suspicion that this has been suggested before... and that, for some reason, Steve has decided against it...

Would be nice though...

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[Shaden]

I'm in favour of the idea. Forums without avatars just seem scary... like a local meet without the familiar faces.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Elenny

Suggestion for Steve:
I love this forum, but I think it would be that much greater if we (users) were allowed to have avatars with our profiles.

Fourthded.

[Jay Bee]

Fifthded

Barb

[AndrewJ]

Perhaps Steve doesn't want to host them and use up extra bandwidth?

Andrew

[mentalmosaic]

I agree with you, Elenny!

The first thing I do when I go to someone's blog is look on the "about" page for their photo - I like to know there's a real person behind it. Same with cd's and book jackets - I like to see the person behind the creation.

Of course, this makes me a total hypocrite at the moment because I've had my blog up for a month and I haven't posted a photo of myself. I'd better hop to it!

Tui

[coollikeme]

This site does not need avatars. The content is good enough, why change it. Most avatars are pretty classless anyway.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by coollikeme

This site does not need avatars. The content is good enough, why change it. Most avatars are pretty classless anyway.

How do you define "class" ...???

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[coollikeme]

avatars that are bad. Like swear words, or political thoughts, naked people, and there are others things I can mention, but it would take forever. This is a good site the way it is, I say leave it alone. I mean classy as good and done in the proper manner. There could be kids looking at this forum, I have seen so many r rated avaters that kids should not see.

[Interpreneur]

Originally Posted by coollikeme

This site does not need avatars. The content is good enough, why change it. Most avatars are pretty classless anyway.

Do you visit any sites/forums just for the avatars if the content is not good enough? The content is the heart of the site and the reason people come back, but avatars are added value for regular visitors and contributors. Just like in a blog or regular website, an article with a picture draws a bigger audience than one without it.

I think every forum surfer has their favorite posters, and it's easier to identify them in topics with lots of responses by their avatar.

As far as the additional bandwidth, I don't think Steve would even notice it. So for whatever it's worth, throw my name in the hat for avatars.

PS - And I saw your website "coollikeme". Why don't you prove your point by trying to sell some of those items without pictures? ;- )

[coollikeme]

a big audience. Why change something that is working. Some sites need avatars, but not This one. Selling products is a different, I need to show the product to sell it. That has nothing to do with an avatar. A lot of sites don't have avatars, and they do just fine. I am just saying I don't believe this site needs an avatar. To gain more people, and I also will remember someone if they say something worth wild. I am pretty sure you will remember a site with good content, avatar or no avatar. I will certainly remember you Interpreneur. Have a good day.

[Interpreneur]

Originally Posted by coollikeme

I will certainly remember you Interpreneur. Have a good day.

Wow. No need to get all "Tony Soprano" on me. I was just stating my opinion, which has as much value as yours.

Happy Monday, and stay cool!

[coollikeme]

Do you have a web site. Sorry if I sound mean still working on my writing skills.

[Shamou]

This is my avatar in forums that I frequent...and I would just love to be able to use it here...

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[wolfgang]

I like having no avatars since I may be online during a work break and don't like the look of forums that have tons of pictures and wouldn't want co-workers to see that. Also they take up space - if there are one liners in a thread with avatars the one line becomes big and that uses space. Just my thinking of this topic - I'd vote to keep it as is. Maybe someone could make a poll of this to see what the general responce would be.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

Maybe someone could make a poll of this to see what the general responce would be.

A poll would be an excellent idea... why don't you start one...???

.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by coollikeme

avatars that are bad. Like swear words, or political thoughts, naked people, and there are others things I can mention, but it would take forever. This is a good site the way it is, I say leave it alone. I mean classy as good and done in the proper manner. There could be kids looking at this forum, I have seen so many r rated avaters that kids should not see.

You only see X-rated avatars in forums that either intend to have them or have minimal moderator presence. Steve's forums have a strong moderator presence.

I find avatars a great visual aid eg. when I'm looking down a thread for what a particular person said.

Steve may have his reasons for not having avatars, and if so I'm fine with that. But as for "if it ain't broken, don't fix it", that's completely counter to Steve's philosophy, which is more like "if it's working okay, try to make it better (and if it's not better then revert)".

[ArthurHung]

No avatars mirrors the simplicity of the site design. Content centered and quality oriented

I find it a refreshing change from other forums. No flash animation especially, one less minor distraction, makes it easier on the eyes for the content seeker.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Keith

I find avatars a great visual aid eg. when I'm looking down a thread for what a particular person said.

Steve may have his reasons for not having avatars, and if so I'm fine with that. But as for "if it ain't broken, don't fix it", that's completely counter to Steve's philosophy, which is more like "if it's working okay, try to make it better (and if it's not better then revert)".

Could not agree with you more... ...

it way easier to remember avatars than user's names...

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[mentalmosaic]

I agree - avatars are easier to remember than user names. I'd remember that pooch pictre more easily than the name "Shamou", for instance.

Also, avatars add another layer of personality to people's posts. A skull and cross bones says something different than a pink bunny, for instance. It's another layer of expression.

So...does anyone know how to make a poll?

Tui

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by mentalmosaic

So...does anyone know how to make a poll?

Tui

This is how you create a poll...

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[wolfgang]

here's a poll on this topic avatar poll